Walk up to anybody on the street and ask them what the symbol for medicine is. More often than not, you’ll find them telling you it’s the caduceus, or at least try to describe it by mentioning twin snakes entwined on a winged staff. Now what if that symbol is simply a phony, a fake that has no historical backing for being a symbol of medicine whatsoever. What does is the rod of Asclepius, a symbol used by premiere health organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Medical Council of India, etc.

What’s even more shocking is that those who are in the medical field often mistake this symbol as well. A recent study conducted in 2014 shows that only 6% of doctors were aware that the Rod of Asclepius is the true symbol of healing. It is important to educate the masses about the truth and dispersing misconceptions and myths.